Iowa Caucuses

I was going to use today's post to throw out my thoughts about the Eagles, but that can wait a day. In the wake of the first Republican presidential primary, I figured I would offer a forum for your thoughts about what happened in Iowa and how this is likely to shake out.

I've made no secret over the years of my lack of affection for Iowa, which I visited once for the NCAA Wrestling Championships. So I'm not particularly surprised that they ended up giving the campaign of Rick Santorum, of all people, a terrific boost. With fellow conservatives Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann bowing out of the race, Santorum will have a good chance of following Iowa up with a strong showing in South Carolina.

Still, I'll be shocked if the Republicans end up being stupid enough to nominate him as their candidate. Mitt Romney, whatever his shortcomings, is their only chance of defeating Barack Obama, and I think they'll end up holding their noses and nominating him.

What do you think?

UPDATE: Oops, Rick Perry decided to stay in the race. I jumped the gun there.

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I think Jon Huntsman would be just as viable a candidate as Romney (I would vote for either), and I think Huntsman would be more preferable to Republicans than Romney, if just for the fact that he ISNT Romney. As for Romney vs Santorum, Santorum has the edge with the far right of the party. With Perry and Bachman bowing out, the more of that element will be behind Santorum, rather than Romney. I think Ron Paul will continue to have a major draw as well, especially now that he has shown good results already. Unfortunately for Romney, in order to get nominated, he has to disavow everything that makes him able to beat Obama (A Republican with a history of supporting centrist or libertarian type policies.) I think it is still way too early to call. Especially if mudslinging ala the McCain/Bush primaries in 2000 pop up, all bets are off.

Posted By: usmapiper88 | Jan 4, 2012 1:56:36 PM

I've liked what I've seen of Huntsman, but he seems like a real longshot. Unless he has a great showing in New Hampshire, I suspect he's gone from the race.

Posted By: bill white | Jan 4, 2012 2:18:38 PM

I like Huntsman, too, but I think it'll be Romney because he's better financed and organized than the others and with a primary each week for the next month or so those things will matter. Iowa was a unique situation for Santorum - he had plenty of time out there and appealed to the religious right. At one point in his Senate career he was voted the stupidest senator by insiders. All in all, it's an unspiring lot.

I'd have loved to see Bobby Jindal run. He's actually accomplished a lot. Obama, on the other hand, couldn't lead a two car funeral.

Good old Rick. Now that he was successful in Iowa he has already announced today that as he moves to New Hampshire he will not talk about the social issues, but concentrate on jobs. Now NH has one of the lowest unemployment rates and one of the smallest evangelical constituencies. So he can't play the right wing card, so he'll play it safe and try to use NH as set up for his non-existent economic plan.

And, Bill, let's not forget how much of a flip-flopper he was (and is)when he still was here in PA. His pro-life stance, as a senator, allowed for abortions in cases of rape and incest, along with saving the mother's life. Now he is just for saving the mother's life. To hell with the victims of rape and incest. He says he always felt that way, but, of course, didn't say that when he had to be elected here in PA.

Finally, here is a wonderful example of his two-faced positions. Back in 1999, when he was supporting federal legislation to limit consumers going to court against medical malpractice by docs, his wife sued a chiropractor for med mal for $500,000 for a bad manipulation that caused her to gain weight and run up $18,000 in additional bills (covered by insurance). He testified he had to carry the laundry upstairs as a result!! Our hero. Here's a nice summary of the case, http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=1300271#.TwS1dlYbjT4

Posted By: cbi | Jan 4, 2012 3:39:02 PM

Santorum has more baggage than a skycap. If he ever were the guy to beat in a race, they'd have all kinds of wacky, corrupt stuff to dredge up.

Posted By: bill white | Jan 4, 2012 3:45:21 PM

Santorum is an unispiring dolt. I hope he is nominated as it would mean Obama by a landslide. On the other hand, I agree with Collins from the NYTs. Iowa is a big to do about nothing. Why the talking heads get so enamored of the campaigns there over the years is beyond comprehension.

And Mr. Ball, couldn't lead a two-car funeral? Really. I can see it now. Mitt hosting an ostentatious funeral inviting anyone who won a $10,000 bet off of him and his VP cadidate Santorum holding up the funeral in a vain attempt to appeal to his god (sic) to have the deceased resuurected.